British Air Force Typhoon jets have operated alongside French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, pinpointed through reconnaissance, was thought to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the announcement noted, and was situated in hills just to the north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets employed precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a number of approach shafts providing entry to the facility... initial indications suggest the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the attack conducted Saturday night and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - also known as Daesh - imposed militant control over significant areas in Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates the UK's leading role, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their harmful and extremist ideologies in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister stated.
British military aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group following its routing at the Baghuz confrontation in the year 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank all the members of British forces participating in this mission for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary added. "They were part of a great many UK service members on duty over the festive period. This action, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our safety, shows how UK forces are prepared to act, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the American forces executed what it termed a "major assault" targeting IS targets in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian linguist in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in Syria and Iraq.
